When a girl begins her period, she may use pads for the first several years until she becomes more familiar and comfortable inserting tampons.​ Tampons are pocket-sized cardboard or plastic applicators with an absorbent material that is inserted into the body to absorb menstrual. Here are the steps to follow when inserting a tampon. . You can also wear a pair of leakproof teen period panties with your tampon as some.